Restaurants. Table hopping.

White Truffles Receive Royal Treatment At Spiaggia, Tuttaposto

December 01, 1995|By Phil Vettel, Tribune Restaurant Critic.

The rare and expensive white truffle will be showcased in special menus featured Tuesday-Thursday at Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan Ave. Chef Paul Bartolotta will be joined by Valentino Marcattilli of Ristorante San Domenico in Imola, Italy -- where Bartolotta studied for several years. Call 312-280-2750.

- White truffles will take center stage in a dinner Friday at Tuttaposto, 646 N. Franklin St. Cost for the five-course dinner (with matching wines) is $100; call 312-943-6262.

- Six top chefs will create a six-course degustation dinner (accompanied by wine and champagne) featured at 6 p.m. Monday at Heaven On Seven, 111 N. Wabash St. Joining Heaven on Seven chef Jimmy Bannos are Patrick Concannon of Don Juan's, Tony Mantuano of Tuttaposto, Peter Schonman of Vivere and Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand of Brasserie T. Cost is $95 inclusive; proceeds benefit the Dr. David M. Tiersky Foundation, which in turn benefits Rainbow House of Chicago. Call Martin Tiersky at 312-281-3363 or 312-951-8126.

- The Beyond Words Cafe has opened on the ninth floor of the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. Operated by George L. Jewell Catering, the 150-seat restaurant serves continental breakfast (9-11 a.m.), buffet lunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) and high tea (3 p.m.) Mondays through Saturdays. Call 312-747-4680.

- Cucina Bella, 543 W. Diversey Pkwy., is offering a family-style dinner for parties of five or more in December. The family-style sampling of appetizers, salads, pastas, entrees and desserts is $20 per person (beverage not included). Call 312-868-1119.

- A holiday wine dinner takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Courtright's, 8989 Archer Ave., Willow Springs. The dinner includes a blind tasting of Russian caviars, among other treats. Cost for the six-course, six-wine dinner is $80 inclusive; call 708-839-8000.

- Don Juan's, 6730 N. Northwest Hwy., will celebrate its 11th anniversary with two events this week. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, there will be a five-course, five-wine dinner with live entertainment; cost is $55. On Thursday, a live mariachi band will perform; customers may choose between a prix fixe traditional Mexican menu ($22) or a special menu ($35) by chef Patrick Concannon (there also is a $7 children's menu); seatings on Thursday are at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Call 312-775-6438.

- Cuvaison wines and Schramsberg sparkling wines are featured in a dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Spasso, 614 W. Liberty St., Wauconda. Cost of the five-course, five-wine dinner is $50; call 708-526-4215.

- South American wines will be featured in a tasting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at The Outpost, 3438 N. Clark St. Cost for the tasting is $10; call 312-244-1166.

- Geja's Cafe, 340 W. Armitage Ave., launches its 19th annual Champagne Festival at 1 p.m. Sunday with a tasting seminar (tickets are $15, reservations required). And for the next two months, Geja's will offer promotional prices on more than two dozen champagnes and sparkling wines by the bottle, and nearly a dozen by-the-glass bubblies. Call 312-281-9101.

- More champagne: The second annual champagne promotion of The Midland Hotel, 172 W. Adams St., is underway; through Jan. 1, there will be special low prices on French champagnes by the glass in both the Exchange restaurant and the Ticker Tape Bistro & Bar. Call 312-332-1200.